Pavel Nedved

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Nedvěd was a vital player in the Czech team that reached the final of Euro 1996, after which he attracted the attention of big European clubs. He also captained the team at UEFA Euro 2004, where they were defeated in the semi-final by eventual champions Greece, and Nedvěd was named in the Team of the Tournament. Furthermore, Nedvěd helped his team qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup for the first time since the breakup of Czechoslovakia. Due to his quick and energetic runs during matches, Nedvěd was nicknamed 'Furia Ceca' (Czech Fury) by Italian football fans. His nickname in Czech is Méďa (Little Bear), stemming from the similarity between his surname and the Czech word for bear, Medvěd.

In Their Own Story

At Juventus, Nedvěd replaced Zinedine Zidane, who had transferred to Real Madrid in 2001. He was a regular on Juventus' 2001–02 and 2002–03 Scudetto-winning teams. Nedvěd perfectly led Juventus to the 2003 UEFA Champions League final against Milan, but had to sit out the final due to an accumulation of yellow cards after his semi-final booking for a foul on Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman. In December 2003, Nedvěd was named World Footballer of the Year by World Soccer magazine. Later that month, he won the European Footballer of the Year award over Thierry Henry and Paolo Maldini. After the 2006 World Cup, Nedvěd dispelled rumours about his departure by reiterating his desire to help Juventus regain promotion to Serie A, citing his family and his commitment to the club as reasons for his decision. He remained with the club until the end of the 2006–07 Serie B season and scored 11 league goals. Nedvěd retired at the end of the 2008–09 season, captaining the final match against his former team Lazio and setting up Vincenzo Iaquinta's goal for a 2–0 victory.

Reader's Guide

Ballon d'Or (2003): Nedvěd won the European Footballer of the Year award over Thierry Henry and Paolo Maldini, becoming the second Czech to win the award after Josef Masopust in 1962. UEFA Champions League Final (2003): Nedvěd led Juventus to the 2003 UEFA Champions League final but had to sit out the final due to an accumulation of yellow cards after his semi-final booking. UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1999): In the 1999 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final, Nedvěd scored the decisive goal against Mallorca for Lazio's 2–1 victory. This proved to be the last goal of the tournament, which was later discontinued. Serie A Titles: Nedvěd was a regular on Juventus' 2001–02 and 2002–03 Scudetto-winning teams. Although Juventus won Serie A titles in 2004–05 and 2006, the titles were revoked after the Calciopoli match fixing scandal. Euro 2004 Team of the Tournament: Nedvěd captained the Czech Republic at UEFA Euro 2004, where they were defeated in the semi-final by eventual champions Greece, and Nedvěd was named in the Team of the Tournament.

Did You Know?

• Nedvěd won the last ever Cup Winners' Cup with Lazio, scoring the decisive goal in the 1999 final against Mallorca.
• He was the second Czech player to win the Ballon d'Or, after Josef Masopust in 1962.
• Nedvěd had to sit out the 2003 UEFA Champions League final due to an accumulation of yellow cards after a semi-final booking.
• His nickname 'Furia Ceca' means 'Czech Fury' in Italian, given by Italian fans for his quick and energetic runs.
• As of April 2024, Nedvěd has made the most appearances for Juventus as a non-Italian player (327).